Word traveled fast in Ardrel. By sunrise the next day the Ardrel Market Price Index had spread beyond the district. Shopkeepers were copying the numbers by hand. Alchemists were discussing price patterns. Adventurers compared mana expenditure to costs. Even some nobles sent spies to verify the posted prices.

Ethan arrived at the square with Mira and Renn to find a crowd already waiting. Mira whispered. outsider They are expecting you
Ethan smiled. Then let us not disappoint them

He pushed through the crowd and stood before the board. Several merchants looked upset. Others looked hopeful. A few nobles stood at a distance their expressions cold and unreadable.

One merchant stepped forward. outsider My stall is marked overpriced according to your Index That hurts my business
Ethan nodded. Then adjust
The merchant sputtered. Adjust You say it like it is simple
Ethan pointed at another stall. He sells the same quality at three silver less Common sense says customers will buy from him
The merchant muttered. So I drop prices
Ethan nodded. And you gain customers
Another merchant whispered. And nobles lose margin
Ethan pretended not to hear the last line.

He gestured for Renn to prepare a fresh page. Today we update the Index
The crowd leaned in like students waiting for a lesson.

Renn read off new prices merchants shouted. Mira wrote quickly. Ethan calculated averages again adjusting for inflated numbers from noble influenced stalls. Once done he posted the new sheet.

Ardrel Market Price Index—Day 2

Gasps echoed through the square.

A woman shouted. Prices dropped
A man cheered. And some rose
A miner laughed. Finally fair value
An adventurer smiled. My potions will not bankrupt me anymore

Ethan watched all of it calmly. He had expected this. When information forces markets to self correct the first shockwave is always violent but positive.

But someone did not appreciate it.

Noble guards approached again. This time with a representative from House Rahl. A tall noble woman in crimson armor stepped forward. Her presence radiated authority and menace. She spoke without shouting. outsider Ethan Mercer
Ethan nodded. Lady Rahl I assume
Her eyes narrowed. You tamper with fire stone prices
Ethan replied. I recorded them
She stepped closer. You reduce them
Ethan tilted his head. The people reduced them I only showed the truth

The crowd murmured. Someone whispered. He is not wrong

Lady Rahl’s voice dropped to a cold whisper. outsider If you continue this my house will lose profit
Ethan met her gaze. If your profit depends on confusion it was never profit
The crowd stiffened
Lady Rahl trembled with anger. You dare challenge House Rahl’s authority
Ethan answered calmly. I challenge inefficiency
Her eyes flashed dangerously. outsider You think this little index gives you power
Ethan stepped closer. No It gives power to the people

The crowd erupted in murmurs. Some cheered. Some gasped. Some backed away in fear of what the noble might do. Lady Rahl’s hand moved toward her wand. Guards stepped forward.

Mira grabbed Ethan’s sleeve. outsider Stop
Renn whispered. They will kill you

But Ethan kept his voice steady. Lady Rahl If you fear transparency then your entire structure is weak

The noble froze
Not because of anger
But because she recognized the truth behind the words
Truth was the one thing nobles could not openly reject

She lowered her wand slowly. outsider Ethan Mercer You walk a dangerous path
Ethan replied. Dangerous paths lead to progress

She turned sharply and left. Her guards followed. The crowd exhaled in collective relief.

Renn whispered. outsider That was reckless
Mira whispered. That was terrifying
Ethan replied softly. That was necessary

The crowd gathered again around the Index. Merchants nodded grudgingly. Adventurers smiled. Alchemists began asking Ethan about standardized potion grading.

And then something unexpected happened.

A child tugged Ethan’s sleeve. outsider My mother says thanks for helping her sell potions
Ethan blinked. She says people trust her more now
Ethan felt something warm settle in his chest. He knelt. What is your mother’s name
Liri
Tell her the market is hers now Not the nobles’

The child grinned and ran off.

Mira whispered. outsider They look at you like a hero
Ethan shook his head. Heroes save people I fix systems
Renn smirked. Maybe that is the same thing here

Before Ethan could respond a distant horn echoed from the city gates. A messenger on a rune marked horse rushed forward toward the High Circle Tower.

Renn’s face shifted. outsider Something happened
Mira whispered. Something big
Ethan watched the rider disappear into the tower entrance. A crowd began murmuring. Guards rushed toward the nobles’ district.

Then Ethan saw it
A plume of smoke rising from the direction of the northern mines
The same region with hidden supply
The same region with falsified records

Ethan whispered. The mines
Mira asked. outsider What does it mean
Ethan answered. It means the truth is surfacing faster than expected

Renn swallowed. And that means
Ethan stared at the rising smoke.
It means the entire kingdom is about to change its rules again

He turned back to the Index board.
Tomorrow the price list would not just be a tool
It would be a shield
And maybe a weapon

The Magic Exchange had begun
And the kingdom of Ardrel was officially unstable.